..Electric being cut off... any advice

TheHogMama

Hi new to this forum just looking for some advice

In the last house hubby and I had, we were there 3 years and we paid via DD I think it was 40.00 to our electric company, and during that time we did have metre readings.

When we left our closing bill came in at over 2000.... they said our metre readings had been wrong. After many discussions this went down by 50% as a compromise - we have been in our new house for a year and we continued on with the same supplier as I was still paying them... at 60.00 per month. Last month they suddenly up'd the payment to 160 - which we couldn't pay.

Sent them a letter to explain I was coming to the end of maternity and I couldn't afford the rise...no response, they called me on Friday I explained - they were to call back yesterday so I had a chance to make sure the bank wouldn't recancel the new set up DD.

- I missed the call yesterday - which was my mistake... I was in the Doctors with my 8 month old child,

Didn't get a chance to call them back and now can't find my stupid phone so will have to wait til hubby is home from work to use his..

I have just received a letter saying unless I make immediate payment of 700.00 they will cut me off...
I cant call them yet as have no phone - but with my son in the house can they cut us off? I don't know what we'd do....

and can they refuse me if I can't pay the 160.00 and offer a lower amount??

Thanks x

Premier_2

They can't just cut you off. They will need a court order.

The court is unlikely to grant such an order, rather one that puts you on a pre-payment meter.

It may be better to try and negotiate with the supplier and avoid the court costs involved, which will probably be added to your debts.

Edit: ever heard of a phone box? :rolleyes:

duncan303

TheHogMama wrote: »

In the last house.. we were there 3 years and....... and during that time we did have metre readings.

may I ask you to confirm that you permitted an official meter reader to come into the property and actually read the meter and allocated those meter readings to your account.

and has the supplier at any time asked you to confirm the meter reference number?


..

TheHogMama

duncan303 wrote: »

may I ask you to confirm that you permitted an official meter reader to come into the property and actually read the meter and allocated those meter readings to your account.

and has the supplier at any time asked you to confirm the meter reference number?


..

- No I took the reading myself when telling them we were leaving and I don't recall being asked to check the meter ref number,

I think a meter reader came once or twice whilst we were there.

- I know in my new property I have seen the reader 3 times in the last 12 months, however in the old property both myself and my husband were out of the house most of the time at work - wheres I have been at home with maternity leave!

- ( I would have gone to a phone box today except the little one isn't well and its about a half an hour walk - I don't want to make him worse than he is! )

markharding557

you could ask them to fit a prepayment meter,you should get longer to repay that way and not get any more legal costs.
also they can force you on to prepayment which will cost alot in addotional costs

spiro

You say you are paying £60 per month, how is this split between debt repayment and fuel consumption?

The increase from £60 to £160 may be a review of the consumption against the amount you pay for fuel each month to ensure your bill is zero at the end of the winter. Many people complain of getting large increases at this time. The supplier is entitled to increase the amount but you will normally be advised of this, did it say anything on you last bill?

If you are in debt (which you are) and you miss a payment (which you did because the DD didn't go through) then a supplier is likely to make an immediate claim for full payment. If you end up in court it will add potentially hundreds to your bill but if they fit a prepayment meter the amount you are required to pay each week to repay the debt has to be manageable based on your incomings and outgoings.

As you are online why not text you husband and ask him to phone your mobile a few times, maybe you will hear it ringing and find it.

intranix

sell some stuff. pay the bill.

markharding557

intranix wrote: »

sell some stuff. pay the bill.

really helpful comment for th op:rolleyes:
so while they are busy selling things they could run up hundreds in legal costs
op needs to deal with this asap

intranix

markharding557 wrote: »

really helpful comment for th op:rolleyes:
so while they are busy selling things they could run up hundreds in legal costs
op needs to deal with this asap

cash converters.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

Premier wrote: »

They can't just cut you off. They will need a court order.

think supplier only needs a court order (warrant of entry) if entry has to be forced, forcing a door or window.

ben500

I'm intrigued why the supplier is even contemplating court action was there no offer of a prepayment meter?